Hon. Rodney W. Equi (Ret.)

The Honorable Rodney W. Equi (Ret.) was appointed as an Associate Judge for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, DuPage County, Illinois in 1992 and elected as Circuit Judge in 1998. Judge Equi served as Presiding Judge for the Domestic Relations Division from 1999 to 2005, from 2006 to 2008 and from 2011 to 2015. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Equi was a partner with Donovan & Roberts, where he focused his practice in civil litigation, including jury and non-jury cases, contract disputes, personal injury, and chancery.

While serving as the Presiding Judge, Judge Equi established the guardian ad litem training program and implemented policies that shaped the practice of family law in DuPage County. He created the DuPage Night Court that serves pro se litigants with domestic relations disputes. He also helped establish the Pro Se Assistance Center to help pro se litigants with simple family law issues navigate the divorce court without a lawyer. He taught Trial Advocacy as an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law for several years and has written and lectured extensively in the area of family law and trial technique. His experience and knowledge in understanding, mediating, and, when necessary, litigating complex divorce and family law cases is unmatched. He is well-equipped to effectively guide clients through the often difficult and complex process of divorce.